How big of winch do I need?
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 813
Likes: 2
From: MOKENA ILL
well a winch is only good when you need it .... so when you need it go with the best WARN i got the 9.5ti but at the time i couldnt aford the 9.5si so i recently got the synthetic winch rope 3/8 125' (thanks northridge) by going that rought i spent $100 more than saveing the rest and getting the si 
all that research that i did prior to INVESTING in a winch the warn 9.5 is the way to go 
unless you want onboard air then get the warn power plant
all that research that i did prior to INVESTING in a winch the warn 9.5 is the way to go unless you want onboard air then get the warn power plant
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
this is great info. keep it coming! I like the tip about lin angle in mud.
Also, based on what I've read here & elsewhere, people should really use snatch blocks & double back the cable (to both double the pull & also un spool the line further down) much more often than they do. seems to me it's alsways better to pull at 40% capacity than 80% (or whatever the #s work out to be).
Also, based on what I've read here & elsewhere, people should really use snatch blocks & double back the cable (to both double the pull & also un spool the line further down) much more often than they do. seems to me it's alsways better to pull at 40% capacity than 80% (or whatever the #s work out to be).
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
From: Lanark IL
OK here's what I don't understand. Why is it all the other high end winches have smaller horsepower motor's than Smittybilt? Are they that much more efficient? I'm by no means saying Warn aren't good winches, but is a Warn winch that much better than every other winch out there? Almost every winch they make is over $1000. I'll live with slower line speed if it's half the money. I'm a rookie when it come to winches, so I appoligize if I'm missing something here.
Thanks,
Thanks,
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Fort McmUrray, Alberta
Always figure a min of 1 1/2 x the weight of your vehicle loaded. also depends on the terrain you are traversing. Thick mud, deep snow, these require at least 2 x the vehicle weight. Synthetic rope is great! Alittle more $ but it is lighter, doesn't kink and best of all does not store energy like a wire cable. If synthetic breaks it will simply fall to the ground. If wire cable breaks, it holds energy and that energy is violently released causing potential damage, injury, or death. If you have an unlimited I would recommend the XRC10.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: The Gorge, Oregon
OK here's what I don't understand. Why is it all the other high end winches have smaller horsepower motor's than Smittybilt? Are they that much more efficient? I'm by no means saying Warn aren't good winches, but is a Warn winch that much better than every other winch out there? Almost every winch they make is over $1000. I'll live with slower line speed if it's half the money. I'm a rookie when it come to winches, so I appoligize if I'm missing something here.
Thanks,
Thanks,
So that's why I went with the M8000 Warn 549.00 out the door.
Sure compare the specs you'll find one better on paper, really though is it a reliable winch? And for how long? The life of you owning the Jeep, right? Here's the kicker, It's not a 1,000 dollar winch. I've seen these M8000 winch's pull 6500 lb trucks out so yeah there reliable well beyond most 8000 lb winches... For the record I don't recommend it, neither would most people either.
You can always use a snatch block, and out pull most every winch out there if they are using a single pull anyways.
My .02, The M8000 works for me... it's not fancy, and I do not have a higher pulling rating then the guy next to me, but it works very well. I would call this winch a great starting point, if you are looking for a winch for any JK. Then compare with what makes you happy. Do Warn's break?, sure but seriously no where near as often as any competition's winch's out there.
So my .02 start at the M8000 and go from there.
For you don't start at a 1,000 dollar winch... Those aren't for everyone.
With that said if I tipped the scales between 5,500-6K loaded then
I would get a 9K Warn or the 9.5ti Warn.
Good luck either way...
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
I believe in keeping things simple, hence the sig.
So that's why I went with the M8000 Warn 549.00 out the door.
Sure compare the specs you'll find one better on paper, really though is it a reliable winch? And for how long? The life of you owning the Jeep, right? Here's the kicker, It's not a 1,000 dollar winch. I've seen these M8000 winch's pull 6500 lb trucks out so yeah there reliable well beyond most 8000 lb winches... For the record I don't recommend it, neither would most people either.
You can always use a snatch block, and out pull most every winch out there if they are using a single pull anyways.
My .02, The M8000 works for me... it's not fancy, and I do not have a higher pulling rating then the guy next to me, but it works very well. I would call this winch a great starting point, if you are looking for a winch for any JK. Then compare with what makes you happy. Do Warn's break?, sure but seriously no where near as often as any competition's winch's out there.
So my .02 start at the M8000 and go from there.
For you don't start at a 1,000 dollar winch... Those aren't for everyone.
With that said if I tipped the scales between 5,500-6K loaded then
I would get a 9K Warn or the 9.5ti Warn.
Good luck either way...
So that's why I went with the M8000 Warn 549.00 out the door.
Sure compare the specs you'll find one better on paper, really though is it a reliable winch? And for how long? The life of you owning the Jeep, right? Here's the kicker, It's not a 1,000 dollar winch. I've seen these M8000 winch's pull 6500 lb trucks out so yeah there reliable well beyond most 8000 lb winches... For the record I don't recommend it, neither would most people either.
You can always use a snatch block, and out pull most every winch out there if they are using a single pull anyways.
My .02, The M8000 works for me... it's not fancy, and I do not have a higher pulling rating then the guy next to me, but it works very well. I would call this winch a great starting point, if you are looking for a winch for any JK. Then compare with what makes you happy. Do Warn's break?, sure but seriously no where near as often as any competition's winch's out there.
So my .02 start at the M8000 and go from there.
For you don't start at a 1,000 dollar winch... Those aren't for everyone.
With that said if I tipped the scales between 5,500-6K loaded then
I would get a 9K Warn or the 9.5ti Warn.
Good luck either way...
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
winchdepot.com/Winches-Winch-Accessories/M8000-Self-Recovery-Winch.aspx?t_c=18&t_s=300&t_pt=100702&t_pl=6407&t_ pn=WAR26502[/url]
I just tried it...$539.99
I just tried it...$539.99
Last edited by mkjeep; Dec 5, 2009 at 07:37 PM. Reason: no clicky
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: "Sixburgh", PA!!
i rock a Chicago Electric from Harbor Freight on my old jeep. if you're guna buy a cheep winch, buy the cheapest, they are all the same. if not that, then spend the coin and get a good warn.
8000lb for $299: harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40764[/url]
i know lots of guys with em to, have always been great. didn't use it for almost 2 years and she was frozen ... but hit it with a hammer while clicking the controler and she pulled like new.
8000lb for $299: harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40764[/url]
i know lots of guys with em to, have always been great. didn't use it for almost 2 years and she was frozen ... but hit it with a hammer while clicking the controler and she pulled like new.
Last edited by mkjeep; Dec 5, 2009 at 07:38 PM. Reason: no clicky